Reluctantly, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett prepares to help play the role of spoiler

Associated PressFor the first time iin four years, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett faces a September in which his team is not in the thick of the playoff race.

Josh Beckett says September games will have value, even if the Red Sox miss the playoffs.

"At least when you're healthy, you can work on things. When you're hurt, you're limited,'' said Beckett, who pitched well in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Baltimore.

"It is different, though. I was more used to this when I was younger, playing for Florida when the last month was used to look at new guys.''

The Red Sox seem destined to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2006, Beckett's first with Boston.

"I want to go to the playoffs, but if not, I wouldn't mind being the spoiler,'' he said.

Beckett allowed three runs (two earned) in seven innings Tuesday. He left with a 3-2 deficit in Boston's 5-2 loss to Baltimore, which dropped his record to 4-4.

He concedes that the playoff picture is very bleak, raising the prospect of September games with less postseason impact than he's been accustomed.

"I don't think we've pulled up the tent yet, we just have to play really well,'' Beckett said.

"Really, really well.''

Beckett said he takes leadership responsibility, but added he's not alone.

"I think it's the same for all .... 75 guys who have played for us,'' he said, alluding to the revolving door of players required by a mountain of injuries.

"I don't think injuries are an excuse, but when you lose an MVP and one of the most vocal leaders in baseball (2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia) ... in our division, that's tough,'' he said.

Beckett said the hardest punches to absorb came on a West Coast trip in late June. Between June 24 and July 1, six players either went on the disabled list or were injured in plays that sent them to the DL - including Pedroia, both catchers (Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek), and All-Star pitcher Clay Buchholz.

Beckett missed more than two months with a back problem. Since returning July 23, he has shown flashes of his usual dominance, but has also been prone to quick reversals of fortune that produced big innings.

He avoided that Tuesday, shutting out the Orioles after the third inning.

"There was definitely progress,'' Beckett said.

He hit his spots more consistently, but allowed some little things to bother him more than was necessary, he said.

One such moment came in the third iinning. Trailing 1-0, Beckett induced Adam Jones to hit a two-out grounder to shortstop.

Marco Scutaro threw the ball away and two runs scored. But Beckett said he was upset at himself, not Scutaro.

"Jones is athletic, though. He put an athletic swing. on it, and hit it to a hard spot for Marco.''

Always available to media after games, Beckett was gone by the time the media reached the clubhouse Tuesday. He was open and approachable Wednesday, saying he "just had some things to do'' Tuesday, meaning that his absence was not intended as a statement.